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-   -   Remove grout from shower drain (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=335495)

  • Mar 29, 2009, 05:47 PM
    DCLoya
    Remove grout from shower drain
    Hi. I recently put tile in my shower. I put it on the wall and on the floor. I took showers in there before it completely dried. So the grout went into the shower drain. Does anyone know how to take grout out of the drain?
  • Mar 29, 2009, 07:32 PM
    21boat

    The thought here is how much went into drain/
    Do you have Pvc Pipe or cast?
  • Mar 29, 2009, 08:29 PM
    DCLoya

    I am not sure. It's the shower that is in the basement. I don't know if that would be any help
  • Mar 29, 2009, 09:18 PM
    21boat

    No it wouldn't help.
    Are you on septic system and how much grout washed down the sewer line?
  • Mar 29, 2009, 10:08 PM
    DCLoya

    I'm not sure how much went down it was clogged whenever I turned the water on. Do you know if muratic hydrochloric acid will eat it up and solve my problem? Thanks
  • Mar 30, 2009, 06:35 AM
    speedball1
    Any tile distributor should carry sulfamic acid crystals.
    You dilute them in water as directed.

    I believe even home depot carry's them in the same
    Section of the tile dept. that has grout sealers etc.

    Sulfamic acid acts in much the same way as muratic,
    Attacking cement based products, but is milder and
    Safer. Muratic acid is like asbestos insulation...
    There are too many safer alternatives to warrant it's use
    In the tile business. I;m concerned that you also clogged the weep holes in the shower drain.and I would also snake and flush the line after to remove any grout remaining. Good luck, n Tom
  • Mar 30, 2009, 06:36 AM
    21boat

    There is a product called Shurkleen that we use to acid wash brick down that has Iron in it. Muratic acid rust steel.
    I would use the ShurKleen for the simple reason that Muratic acid attacks metal more

    http://www.prosoco.com/ProductDetail.asp?ID={ABD70407-F9C2-49FC-BB14-0866655A70B6}
  • Mar 30, 2009, 06:07 PM
    DCLoya

    Would vinegar work?
  • Mar 31, 2009, 03:40 AM
    speedball1
    Quote:

    Would vinegar work?
    To eat up tile grout? I doubt it very much. Acid or perhaps Shur Kleen would be much more affective. Good luck, Tom
  • Apr 1, 2009, 02:18 PM
    DCLoya

    I only found virgin sulfamic acid. I put it down the drain and it didn't do anhthing. Where can I purchase shurkleen?
  • Apr 1, 2009, 04:37 PM
    21boat

    I get it at the masonry supply house. It comes in a gallon jug. Its mostly used in the commercial end of cleaning brick on buildings. Not really a home owners thing. I would use it full strength. It van be mixed 3 parts water to one part cleaner like muriatic

    Muriatic acid would be the last product to use but its so caustic

    http://www.chasephipps.com/Est%20Cha...20Cleaners.htm

    http://www.chasephipps.com/documents...ent%20Data.pdf
  • Apr 1, 2009, 06:03 PM
    Milo Dolezal

    This happens when you wash new grout from just grouted walls and floor, and allow water mixed with grout to enter drain... Common problem with tile setters...

    I would not recommend using any chemicals.

    I hope you have plastic drains...

    Take long screwdriver. It must be long enough to reach bottom of the trap. Gently tap on it several times. It will pop loose in one large. Take shop-vac and vacuum it out.

    If you have Cast Iron trap, do the same..

    Key word here is "gently". You don't want to punch hole in your trap.

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